8 Cleaning Mistakes That Are Ruining Your Wood Furniture

It’s easy to forget to clean your furniture every once in a while, but cleaning your wood furniture takes extra care and some maintenance. In order for your wood furniture to last a long time, you’ll want to clean it properly—unfortunately, it’s a bit easy to potentially damage your nice wood furniture.

“Wood is naturally porous and can easily be scratched, stained, or damaged by improper cleaning techniques,” explains Taylor Matthews, Owner of Sparkling Queens in Savannah, Georgia. “It's important to use a wood cleaner or a multi-purpose cleaner that's safe for wood furniture so you don't damage the finish on your furniture.”

Below, we’ve asked Matthews about the mistakes she sees most often when folks are trying to clean and care for their wood furniture. Additionally, we asked her for her best advice on how to properly clean wood furniture.

Taylor Matthews is the Owner of Sparkling Queens in Savannah, Georgia.

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"Note whether the wood has a laminate surface, a layer of shellac, or a raw surface,” explains Matthews. “Not all finishes are created equal—raw wood tends to be drier and more susceptible to staining.”

“Because wood is so porous, you can accidentally leave permanent spray marks on wood furniture if you spray cleaning solution directly on the finish,” says Matthews. “Always spray wood cleaner on a microfiber cloth before wiping down furniture.”

According to Matthews, dust can be abrasive, and wood can be very sensitive to scratches. “Don't spread wet dust around because you might accidentally damage the finish on wood furniture.”

“Wood tends to swell when it's exposed to moisture, so exercise restraint with regard to the amount of wood cleaner or multi-purpose cleaner you use,” cautions Matthews.

“These products include silicone that's designed to create a barrier, but they can actually attract more dust and make your wood finish gummy and sticky over time,” says Matthews. “Using these silicone-based products can ultimately result in surfaces that are harder to clean.”

Dry dust and clean your wood furniture at least once a month, according to Matthews. Don't allow dust to build up over the years or it will be much harder to clean.

“Leaving drinking glasses, cups, or mugs on wood furniture for long periods of time can cause watermarks, stains, and discoloration,” Matthews warns.

The sun's UV rays can fade and permanently damage wood furniture. “To maintain your furniture's finish, keep wood furniture indoors and away from sun exposure,” suggests Matthews.

You always want to start with a dry dust using a dry microfiber cloth that will hold dust. This ensures that you're working with a clean, dust-free surface. Then, “spray wood cleaner or an all-purpose cleaner that's safe for wood surfaces on a clean microfiber cloth and wipe down the furniture carefully by hand, making sure that you don't soak the wood,” explains Matthews. “Pay special attention to gummy residue, but don't rub too hard or you might scratch the finish. Allow wood furniture to air dry.”